Babu Ram Lamichhane

Nuwakot, June 1:

The Maoists caused an explosion at the Fish Research Centre in Bijura near Trishuli Bazaar of Nuwakot and damaged property worth Rs 10 million, including the building, laboratory and equipment. A group of five Maoists took control of the centre chief and other employees on duty at 11:45 pm today and caused the explosion. Sadhu Ram Basnet, chief of the centre, said the explosion has damaged the water and feed controller equipment as well as other important machinery. He added that the total damage is yet to be calculated. The research centre was established in 1989 with the help of the Japanese organisation JOCV. The centre specialises in the distribution and research on different types of fingerlings and fish. The Maoists took control of the centre, which is near Bidur Municipality, after cutting the telephone connection, said an eyewitness.

According to an employee, the explosion has destroyed 35 different species of fish samples in the laboratory. He also informed that the Maoists have taken away a computer set and printer. The centre has been conducting research on more than one dozen species of fish, including an extensive research on Trout fish. The centre sells nine tonnes of Trout fish annually and provides private and government fisheries with fingerlings and fish feeds, said deputy chief, Rishi Rijal.